VVE Disputes: What to Do in the Event of Damage?

Questioner

I live in an apartment in Amsterdam. We are a VVE with 5 residents. The building next to us is being renovated. It now has the chimney on the roof which has been partly demolished without permission. Do I have to report this?

Lawyer

Reporting is of little use. The police will probably do nothing with this. In civil law, this is a joint matter. The neighbors cannot demolish the chimney without your permission. It is therefore important to point out to them that permission has not been granted and that they are obliged to restore the chimney to its original state.